space forces

PROJECT AIM HIGHER LEARNING OBJECTIVES (PAHLO)
1. Identify space policy, doctrine and strategy issues.
2. Give examples of Air & Space effects required to end a conflict to the advantage of the United
States.
3. Comprehend the capabilities and limitations (military utility) of specific counterspace and
force application space systems. Recognize the characteristics and capabilities of:
3.1. A Space Operations Vehicle (SOV).
3.2. A Low Cost Autonomous Attack System (LOCAAS).
3.3. A Small Diameter Bomb (SDB).
3.4. Direct ascent antisatellite (ASAT) weapons.
3.5. Microsatellites.
3.6. Spacemines.
3.7. Communications satellite jammers.
3.8. Mobile laser jammers.
3.9. Large airborne Global Positioning System (GPS) jammers.
3.10. Numerous smaller GPS jammers.
3.11. A Common Aerospace Vehicle (CAV).
3.12. Space Based Radar (SBR) satellites.
3.13. Space-Based Space Surveillance satellites.
3.14. Space-Based Infra-Red System LO (SBIRS LO) satellites.
3.15. Global Multi-Mission Support Program (GMSP) satellites.
3.16. Theater High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD).
3.17. An AEGIS cruisers.
3.18. A second generation Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV).
4. Comprehend the capabilities and applications of commercial space systems.
5. Analyze how “robust space forces” can compliment National and military strategy and
objective.1
5.1 Distinguish how satellite hardening, can compliment National and military strategy
and objective.
1
In Title X wargames, prior to S2001, adversaries aggressively attacked space assets resulting in
major/early losses to US satellite constellations. Players were left with the impression that space
was fragile. To compensate, S2001 explored enhanced options for space protection.
Page 1 of 7
5.2 Distinguish how large satellite constellations for redundancy, can compliment
National and military strategy and objective.
5.3 Distinguish how more secure satellite orbits can compliment National and military
strategy and objective.
6. Differentiate and separate the capabilities of a robust Air & Space force, from that of a less
capable baseline force.2
6.1 Explain how multifunction microsatellites can provide more counterspace and space
protection capabilities.
6.2 Explain how Space-Based Space Surveillance can enhance space situational
awareness.
6.3 Explain how significantly more Common Aerospace Vehicles (CAV) can provide
prompt precision global strikes against hardened targets.
6.4 Recall how a larger Space Based Radar (SBR) constellation can provide continuous
tracking of enemy terrestrial forces.
6.5 Recall how Space-Based Infra-Red System LO (SBIRS LO) satellites can be
hardened against Red directed energy weapons.
6.6 Recall how Global Multi-Mission Support Program (GMSP) satellites can provide a
more jam resistant GPS signal and additional communications capabilities.
7. Comprehend the “near-peer” relationship of an opposing force with:
7.1. A strategic nuclear capability, conventional and nuclear Intercontinental Ballistic
Missiles (ICBMs), a large conventional force, and a robust intelligence, surveillance,
and reconnaissance (ISR) capability that provides them a full view of the
battlespace.
7.2. A formidable number of weapons to limit US access to the region including
advanced surface-to-air missiles, long-range cruise missiles and ballistic missiles.
7.3. Early warning, communications and navigation infrastructure roughly equivalent to
current US systems.
8. Comprehend how “Space Capabilities Provide Deterrence”
8.1. Explain the role of the Secretary of Defense (SECDEF) cell.3
8.2. Recognize how, when facing an enemy with a strategic nuclear capability, the
possibility of escalation to a nuclear exchange is always part of the SECDEF's decision
calculus.
8.3. Describe how space forces can provide the US a strategic deterrent that can be
positioned to clearly demonstrate National capabilities and resolve.
2
S2001’s robust force started with Global Engagement V's vision force and added several counterspace and force
application capabilities consistent with Air Force Space Command's Strategic Master Plan
3
Joint Chief of Staff Memo, 11 JAN 02, directed discontinued use of the term National Command Authority (NCA).
Documents should instead refer specifically to the “President” or “SECDEF”, as appropriate.
Page 2 of 7
8.3.1. Define “deterrence.”
8.4. Identify how space operations are difficult to monitor.
8.5. Describe how deterrent options can be employed to apply pressure that allows the
potential adversary to back down from the conflict without embarrassment.
8.6. Comprehend the deterrent options, of:
8.6.1. Observe: Summarize how, during the pre-hostility phase, Blue can use their ISR
capabilities to observe and publicize Red's massing of ground forces to mobilize
world opinion against possible Red aggression.
8.6.1.1. Describe how this sharing of information can help induce stability into an
inherently unstable situation.
8.6.2. Threaten: Summarize how, "at risk" deterrent options can threaten the adversary
without disabling his systems or destroying his territory.
8.6.2.1. Describe how actions such as jamming and dazzling selected Red satellites,
and deploying Blue microsatellites near Red satellites (to prepare for Blue
counterspace actions), can threaten without disabling.
8.6.2.2. Describe how, all of these actions are considered scaleable and most
importantly, reversible.
8.6.2.3. Describe how this process of prepositioning space assets to support later
counterspace operations can be described as a “space Time Phased Force
Deployment (TPFD)”.
8.6.2.4. Describe how actions in this option can be structured to provide a deliberate
and increasingly greater show of force with pauses to allow for diplomacy and
enemy withdrawal.
8.6.3. Strike: Summarize how, if the observe and threaten options fail to produce the
desired results; Blue can develop a preemptive strike option (early deterrent
strike).
8.6.3.1. Define “early deterrent strike.”
8.6.4. Recognize how developed plans for focused attacks (early deterrent strike) can
convince Red they cannot achieve their military and strategic objectives.
8.7. Summarize how extensive space and information operations for deterrence and to
posture forces, can gain a decisive advantage even before the first overt shot is fired or
territorial boundary crossed.
8.7.1. Recognize how actions in this gray area of hostile engagement can prove decisive,
or at least have a major impact on the future unfolding of combat operations.
9. Demonstrate, in a wargame/simulation, how “Preparations in Space are Not Provocative”
9.1. Show how actions taken by the Blue teams can posture their forces for deterrence.
9.1.1. Predict how Red’s lack of adequate space situational awareness, to fully see the
Blue Space TPFD, is a limiting factor to the deterrent value of these actions.
Page 3 of 7
9.1.2. Explain why the SECDEF may simply choose to release some information
directly to Red, providing a limited awareness of Blue’s actions, to ensure Red
receives the deterrent message.
9.1.3. Describe how, if deterrence fails, Blue space forces are now in place to bring
about the desired end state with few casualties and minimal collateral damage.
9.2. Show that although Preparations in Space may give Blue a military advantage, the
opposition may not consider them provocative.
9.2.1. Explain "traditional" trigger points, of which the opposition may base their
decision to begin hostilities or accelerate timelines upon.
9.2.1.1. Recall how air, land or sea forces moving in, or toward the theater can be a
"traditional" trigger point.
9.2.1.2. Recall how deployment of Theater High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) to
theater can be a "traditional" trigger point.
9.2.1.3. Recall how the insertion of combat forces can be a "traditional" trigger point.
9.2.1.4. Recall how the deployment of AEGIS cruisers can be a "traditional" trigger
point.
9.2.1.5. Recall how Blue bombers moved to forward bases, within striking distance of
the opposition, can be a "traditional" trigger point.
9.2.1.6. Recall how violation of Red airspace can be a "traditional" trigger point.
9.2.2. Explain how the actual interference with an opposition space asset CAN be a
space-related trigger.
10. Comprehend how “Red Low Tech Attacks Challenge Blue”
10.1. Identify how a variety of special force operations and terrorist (third party) attacks
against Blue space ground sites critical to satellite command and control, national
missile defense, launch operations, and space data processing, can challenge Blue’s Air
& Space superiority.
10.2. Recall how deception techniques versus ISR capabilities, can challenge Blue’s Air &
Space superiority.
10.2.1. Give examples of “deception techniques versus ISR capabilities.”
10.3. Recall how the opposition can employ a “shell game” with its force by constantly
shifting its theater ballistic missiles, transporter erector launchers (TELs), aircraft, and
associated decoys, to complicate Blue’s terrestrial situational awareness.
10.4. Recall how the opposition can exploit Blue's dependency on GPS, by jamming the
GPS signal frequency in theater, limiting Blue's precision strike capability.
11. Comprehend why “Defense of Space is Critical”
11.1. Identify how a variety of Red threats can challenge Blue's space forces including
microsats, ground-based lasers, direct ascent ASATs, and space mines.
Page 4 of 7
11.2. Identify counterspace capabilities.
11.2.1. Recall how microsatellites can be used to both protect friendly assets and engage
enemy systems.
11.2.2. Recall how an advanced space surveillance system, capable of tracking small and
potentially deceptive targets such as Red microsatellites, can provide real-time
space situational awareness to support effective counterspace operations.
11.2.3. Recall how Common Aerospace Vehicles (CAVs) can be key to rapid force
application against deep, highly protected Red ground-based counterspace
systems.
11.2.3.1. Recognize how Red ground based lasers can cripple Blue space forces in a
matter of hours.
11.2.4. Recognize how, when active defense fails, a robust force can be sufficient to
withstand initial Red attacks and continue to meet their mission objectives due to
their hardened and redundant constellations.
11.3. Recognize why the SECDEF may specifically prohibit any interference with certain
space and ground systems associated with the opponent’s strategic nuclear deterrence
(including early warning satellites).
11.4. Recognize why the SECDEF may be very concerned about the potential escalation in
the event Red interference with Blue early warning satellites.
12. Interpret why a “Robust Force Structure Provides Greater Flexibility”
12.1. Identify why a robust, numerically superior force structure gives Blue the flexibility to
absorb a first strike in space and continue to accomplish their objectives.
12.2. Identify why a baseline (non-robust) force with limited space assets could clearly not
absorb a first strike in space and still be effective
12.2.1. Recognize why a baseline (non-robust) force may appeal strongly for the
SECDEF or President to allow preemptive strike authority.
12.3. Identify why a robust space force provides a stabilizing deterrent while a limited
baseline space force may create instability by pushing both sides towards early strikes
in an attempt to gain military advantage.
13. Identify why a “Robust CAV Force Provides Terrestrial Advantages” for Blue to
effectively strike deep against heavily defended targets without risking aircrews.
14. Comprehend why we should consider “Flowing Force Protection in First”
14.1. Recognize that; when fighting a near peer possessing a large theater ballistic missile
threat, it is imperative to deploy force protection assets early and sustain them
throughout the campaign.
14.2. Recognize how force protection assets may reduce the number of ballistic missiles
leaking through defenses, thereby allowing more combat sorties to be generated
against Red invasion forces.
Page 5 of 7
14.3. Recognize why the Blue robust team may delay the flow of ground and air based ISR
and rely on space based ISR assets to provide a detailed picture of the battlespace
during the early days of the conflict.
14.3.1. Describe how this tactic can free up airlift for force protection without
compromising the commander’s view of the battlespace.
15. Comprehend how “Commercial Space can be a Force Multiplier for All”
15.1. Explain that anyone can purchase commercial ISR and communications capabilities to
support their military operations.
15.2. Explain that anyone can attempt to limit commercial support to their opponents.
15.2.1. Recognize that relatively little leveraging power may exist with commercial
capabilities.
15.2.2. Recognize that commercial organizations may be driven by their ultimate interest;
“the bottom line,” and answer to their CEOs and stockholders.
15.2.3. Recognize how multinational corporations may prefer to remain neutral, viewing
wartime demands for their services as a business opportunity.
15.2.4. Recognize how commercial organizations may not legally be able to breach
contracts to further the objectives of Blue or Red.
15.2.5. Recognize that in conflicts abroad, Red may be the dominant customer in the
region, further limiting Blue's leverage with commercial companies and consortia.
15.3. Comprehend why the United States needs policies and procedures to ensure our access
to commercial space services, while denying those services to our potential
adversaries.
15.3.1. Describe why the United States should maintain good commercial relationships
during peacetime.
15.3.2. Describe why the United States should prepare procedures/agreements, to be in
place as a crisis transitions to conflict to ensure that we have the required
commercial services available to augment forces.
15.3.3. Recognize why these same procedures/agreements need to address the limitation
or denial of space support to adversaries.
15.3.4. Recognize why these agreements require coordination with a broad range of
government departments including Defense, State, Commerce, and
Transportation.
16. Comprehend why “Command and Control (C2) Relationships Will Evolve”
16.1. Interpret how space weapons and new information systems routinely compress
decision cycles requiring near instantaneous response to enemy actions.
16.2. Recognize how these factors and the inherently global nature of space forces arguably
pose challenges to current organizational structures and rules of engagement.
Page 6 of 7
16.3. Recognize why as space forces increase in capability and complexity, the command
and control relationships of these forces will mature to ensure effective counterspace
operations.
16.4. Recognize why as other services deploy additional counterspace systems, the
command and control relationships of these forces will mature to ensure effective
counterspace operations.
Page 7 of 7